JTA President Fay E. Saunders called for greater participation from all sectors of Jamaican society in addressing the nation's educational challenges. Emphasising that education was the responsibility of the entire nation, she urged the government, teachers, parents, businesses, and citizens to collaborate in building a stronger educational system. 

Published Wednesday, January 3, 1968  

JTA aims at involving all sectors more deeply

Wants improved teacher competence and conditions of work, also

GREATER PARTICIPATION of all sectors of the community in a concerted drive to improve education standards throughout Jamaica is among the main policy objectives of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) during the year 1968.

In the achievement of this objective, the association will endeavour to “convince all Jamaica that the education of the population is their business, and a business in which they must play an increasingly greater part”.

This was stated by the new president of the JTA, Fay E. Saunders, in her presidential address at the opening of the 1968 annual conference of the association at Excelsior School auditorium.

Saunders, who was introduced by the outgoing president, Dr Aubrey Phillips, told the large audience at the opening that she believed the business of educating the people was one of the most important projects in which a country could be engaged. Success in all other fields of endeavour, she said, depends on the extent to which the people in those fields are educated.

The business of the JTA, she stated, was education. The four years of the association’s existence had been years of intense activity, during which it had dedicated itself to improving education at all levels.

Cooperation
During the year now beginning, she said, the association’s efforts would be directed towards cooperating with those engaged in the field of education and convincing all Jamaica that the education of the population was their business, and one in which they must play an increasingly greater part.

“I believe that the nation should be aware of the problems facing it with respect to the provision of basic education, and this cannot be overcome by the efforts of one or two agencies, no matter how dependable they may be. It is going to require the combined efforts of government, teachers, parents, businesses, artisans of all kinds, the man in the street — in fact, the whole nation of Jamaica. Each group has its own particular contribution to make.”

Neglect
“The contribution of many will be to see that their own children and the children of the community attend school regularly. All contributions are equally important, and it is urgent that each citizen realises that he has a part to play.”Saunders went on to discuss the historical aspect of the education problem:
“I do not believe that anyone or any group can be blamed for the present situation. Decades of neglect combined with a growing population cannot be put right overnight.”

On the question of government participation in improving education, she said:
“The inescapable fact is that a greater proportion of the national budget must be devoted to education. If the problem is to be tackled effectively, this can be the only solid base on which public participation can be built.

“In these circumstances, I believe that the JTA has a duty to bring to the attention of the public the bare facts of the situation. I make this appeal, then, to everyone: find out what you can do to help, and find a way by which your help can be translated into positive action.”

Examinations
The new JTA president went on to question the emphasis on examinations. She asked: “Are we placing too much emphasis on examinations in the education process? I underscore the fact that examinations are an important and necessary part of the educational process, but only a small part which must be placed in proper perspective.”

She emphasised: “Far more important are the attitudes, values, and disciplines which will, in the long run, make for success or failure in life. What the child learns in content is much less important, for example, than learning how to learn, how to apply what he learns in other directions, how to live with other people, self-discipline, and a worthwhile sense of values.”Saunders then asked:

Difference
“Are we as a nation making a concerted effort to encourage initiative, the discipline of punctuality, attention to detail, perseverance under difficulties, and the attitude that whatever is worthwhile doing is worthwhile doing well?”

In suggesting the need for greater diversification in education, Saunders pointed out: “It is important to remember that each child is a different individual with different aptitudes, and all cannot be expected to fit into the same mould. I suggest that there is a need for greater diversification of the education in our schools as necessary.”
Saunders also noted that methods of teaching needed to be constantly examined, and questioned the relevance of the grammar school curriculum to Jamaica’s educational needs.

She pointed out the need for a West Indian Examination Board and the provision of more library services in schools.

Regarding the improvement of the professional competence of teachers, the new president said the association’s drive to achieve this would continue during the year. She looked forward to the implementation of the Code of Ethics during the year, “so that teachers will aim not only at high standards of performance in the classrooms but also at higher standards of professional behaviour”.

Human Rights Year
Mention was made of the celebration of Human Rights Year by the United Nations this year and of the responsibility of teachers to instill in children the right attitudes in dealing with people.

In conclusion, Saunders referred to the participation of the Ministry of Education and added that the JTA looked forward to 1968 as the year in which “the seeds which have been planted in 1967 will bear fruit more abundantly”.

She hoped that efforts would be made during the year to improve the conditions under which teachers and pupils were required to work. She also expressed hope for an increase in the grants paid to primary schools and a complete revision of the method in which secondary schools were financed.

Saunders was given a standing ovation as she concluded.
Earlier, the president was invested by the outgoing president, Dr Phillips, who symbolically passed on the torch of education and placed the badge of office around her neck.

The opening ceremony began with prayers offered by the Auxiliary Roman Catholic Bishop of Kingston, the Rt Rev Samuel Carter. This was followed by opening remarks by the outgoing president, who presided over the first part of the ceremony.

For feedback: contact the Editorial Department at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.